Sun Devils expose ineffective Utes

September 23, 2012|Reuters

STILL NEEDS WORK: Arizona State's 372 passing yards is a troubling sign for the Utes' defense as it prepares for Pac-12 offenses on a weekly basis. Utah did manage three sacks but could not contain the Sun Devils' WRs downfield. The defensive backs have to do a better job in man coverage to keep teams from getting early leads and putting the pressure on a Utah offense that isn't built for comebacks. As SS Brian Blechen gets more ingrained in the secondary rotation after missing the first three games due to a team suspension, the coaching staff hopes that the defensive backfield can start to play more consistently.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We got whipped tonight, soundly. They're a better football team than we are. We got outcoached; we got outplayed. They had control of the game from start to finish. We really didn't do much in the way of positives." -- Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, to the Deseret Morning News.

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NCAAF Team Report - Utah - STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

PLAYER NOTES:

--WR DeVonte Christopher has to become more of a playmaker for the offense. He did not record any receptions against Arizona State and lost a yard on a carry. He is the team's most experience wideout and has to find ways to find openings in opposing defenses to help QB Jon Hays. Christopher is a dangerous kickoff returner who has to have that mentality of breaking every play on offense.

--P Tom Hackett may have taken the starting job away from Sean Sellwood. Hackett, who was the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week last week for hitting all three of his punts inside the Brigham Young 20, punted the ball four times against ASU to Sellwood's two. Hackett averaged 46.5 yards per punt to Sellwood's 39.5.

--Junior-college transfer Kelvin York showed glimpses of being a strong contributor in the Utes' running game. He accounted for 70 of Utah's 79 first-half rushing yards. York finished with 86 yards after Arizona State held him in check in the second half. But York had been a disappointment until Saturday, falling to third on the depth chart at times during the fall.

ROSTER REPORT

--DE Joe Kruger missed Saturday's game against Arizona State with a foot injury. Jacoby Hale and Nate Fakahafua started in Kruger's place as the Utes used five defensive linemen to start the game.

--S Eric Rowe missed his second straight game with a hamstring strain.

--RB John White carried the ball 14 times for a season-low 18 yards as the ankle sprain that kept him out of last week's game against Brigham Young seemed to be a factor, as did Arizona's defense. White also fumbled twice.